If Frank Capra directed metalcasting.

I am a fan of Jimmy Stewart, the actor, and Frank Capra, the director. In my opinion, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is one of the greatest movies ever made. Sure, it is too schmaltzy by today's standards, but its innocence is what I like, along with the idea that an average guy with a good heart can succeed when it appears that he is facing insurmountable odds.

For those of you who haven't seen it, the movie tells the story of Jeff Smith, a small town hero (Boy Scout troop leader, friend to all, great and small), who has been named to replace a U.S. senator that died in office. Smith is nominated by the other senator from that state, Thomas Payne, to be a "stooge" in awe of the opportunity to serve his country. The goal is to ensure that Smith will not interfere with a "pork-filled works bill" Payne is trying to pass. However, Smith ends up being more of a senator than anyone expected as he decides to create his own bill, which ends up in direct competition with the works bill.

The result is that Smith, with only his good name and morals behind him, decides to partake in a filibuster on the Senate floor in opposition of the works bill. The filibuster allows him to hold the floor of the Senate and continue to talk as long as he wants (changing the minds of other Senators and blocking passage of the works bill at the same time), provided he doesn't sit down or yield the floor. This was one man's David vs. Goliath story to change the way of Washington politics in the only way he could.

While portraying 1930s American ideals, today's metalcasters can learn a lot from Smith's example and how to work with their customers or government officials. Smith teaches us that one man can make a difference. Smith shows us that sometimes we must be headstrong and keep repeating our message over and over again--hitting people over the head--to make an impression. Smith teaches the importance of being passionate about our convictions even in the face of insurmountable odds.

Our current customer base and our government officials have a lot in common when it comes to hearing the metalcasting industry message. We discuss the importance of manufacturing and often receive just blank stares and nods in return.

Our customers view us as producers of commodities that are priced per pound. They see us as the lowest tier on the supply chain, unable to deliver any added value to our components or the end-system of which they are a part. They see our products as non-engineered and easy to ship to low-cost foreign sources for a quick price reduction.

With the government, we have been voicing the importance of manufacturing in the face of a decline for the last 20 years. Beyond the White House's push before last year's elections about maintaining the U.S. manufacturing base, all other federal government action has been more in line with growing our service sector of the economy rather than re-establishing the industrial base. Whether we are talking about trade issues (currency valuation, foreign government subsidies, etc.) or reduction in burden (health care, regulatory affairs, etc.), little government policy is geared toward making our lives easier.

It is time for our industry to follow in the footsteps of Mr. Smith and begin a filibuster with our customers and government officials. Each of you must be David and step onto your soapbox to speak about the benefits of metalcasting, and show how critical this engineered process is to the lifeblood of our economy. While you will more than likely receive the same blank stares, our industry needs to show passion and continue to exclaim its virtues until someone begins to get it. Only by starting these actions now will we see any results before the next growth spurt ends.

Our magazines, MODERN CASTING and Engineered Casting Solutions, have materials to support your discussion with customers and government officials. Just drop me an email or give me a call, and I will ship them off to you. The time is now for our filibuster.